What does it mean to do ministry in this postmodern era???
What does it mean to be a pastor in this era???
Is it better to have a conference with carnies, or the casket company?
Does it say more about us that we are here with Circus workers or a casket company? Does it show the decline of the church that we should be measured for our caskets and look at the style of lining we want for the box in which we will place our church, because we can not get beyond the traditionalist attitudes and understanding of the way we do ministry…
My question to all of this is where is God? Is it not God’s mission? The question brought to us this morning at the Creative Ministry Pre gathering Pastor Jeff Linman was Where does the power come from? Are we doing things in our ministry because of what we have finances to? Are we adding on to our building the amount of space we can afford to add,or are we looking at how God is moving in the area and doing what needs to be done because God is our undergirding and our power? Can we allow God to be God and follow him in His mission and risk, knowing he will not leave us alone?
Can we trust God to dream God Sized Dreams? Can we allow ourselves to dream the dreams and seek the ministry that needs God? In order to do this we need to think and vision beyond ourselves and know that God will see us through and do His part if we will only let him? Are we able to find Jesus in the darkness, in the black of night, when we think that we are all alone and the plan we thought was what God wanted us to do, is really not what we needed to do… Can we hold on to the vision and look to the dawn, trusting that God has not let us down?
We need to live on the fringe of losing control ourselves, yet always knowing that God is in Control. If we do not do this, then our ministry will truly be that of maintenance. Our ministry will be that which maintains the status quo, and does not build the kingdom. We will be keeping the “members” happy and not building the kingdom. Our visions will not be kingdom visions, they will be that which keeps the doors of “St. Careaboutmyself” Lutheran Church open. We need to move beyond being plate spinners. We need to move beyond being the people who run around the congregation making sure none of the plates hit the ground, that they always keep spinning. This is maintenance. We need to be kingdom visioners, kingdom dreamers…
We need to grab a old of Paul’s words to the Philippians in chapter 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Remember the focus is on Jesus, and that will take you far, even with a carnie in a hot tub!
aSacredRebel 